The Consumerist is always a handy little site to check if you want to see what certain companies try and get away with, and every now and then you'll see some game-related chicanery pop up. Such is the case today, as one unfortunate customer explains how he was talked into forking over a year's Gold subscription for the privilege of having a free Silver account.

ForceTrainer recently ran into problems when he forgot to update his credit card information. Despite reminders from Microsoft, the absent-minded gamer failed to update the info and his access to Xbox Live was terminated. While not a big deal to the former XBL member, he still wanted access to his DLC so finally decided to update his information and get a Silver account. However, he soon ran into problems after Microsoft made him pay a full year's subscription to settle the month or two of Xbox Live Gold that was outstanding.

He verified that my billing information was updated, and he told me that I would be charged $49.99 because I had an owing balance on my account. While all I wanted to do was convert to a Silver account (hopefully for no charges), I was half expecting this since my account had technically lapsed in June. I asked if it was possible to just pro-rate the two months that I was given service after my account lapsed, and I was told because I'm an annual member that wouldn't happen. Alright, fine, no big deal – it's just $50.

Just fifty bucks indeed, but it was certainly a big deal when he found out that the $50 was just to get reconnected to the Internet via his 360. After being informed that the money was purely to bring his account into balance and that he was not due the rest of the year's Gold membership, needless to say that things got very messy. More after the jump.